Ratchet for presses



Aug. 11, 192s. 1,549,074`

w. EBERHARDT E'r m.

RATCHET Fon PRESSES Filed sept. 16 1924 /m/f/vra/s WILLIAM EBERHRDI CHARLES EBERHARUT.

154,074 pfiffig LWFE- marciana roza Fausses.

Application led September 16, 1924. Serial No. 738,075.

T 0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM EBnRr-IARDT and CHARLES EBERHARDT, citizensA of the United States, and residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in a Ratchet for Presses, ofvwhich the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to ratchet mechanism for presses and the like wherein a pivotally movable actuating lever is arranged to impart a substantially continuous rotation in one direction to a flanged sleeve threaded onto a bar whereby said rod may be moved in a desired direction to operate the presser foot of a press.

The primary object of our invention is to provide an improved ratchet mechanism 'adapted to facilitate and quicken the operation of a press. l

Another object is to provide an improved ratchet mechanism which will impart and maintain very high pressures in a press.

A further object is to provide an improved device of the character described which will afford a substantially continuous and uniform movement of the presser foot of a presswhen the actuating lever is oscillated.

./Lnother object is to provide an improved structure which will be extremely strong and durable and' which may be readily adjusted to obtain movement in a desired direction.`

A still further object is to provide an improved st-ructure which is simple andv eilicient in its operation and which may be economically manufactured and assembled.

We accomplish these and other objects by means of the device disclosed in the drawings forming a part of the present specification wherein like characters of reference are used to designate similar parts throughout said specification and drawings and in which,

Fig. 1 is a broken plan view of our improved ratchet mechanism,

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing themanner in which the bell cranks are moved'by a movement of the actuating lever, l

Fig. 3 is a broken side elevation, partly in section, of the mechanism as shown in Fig. 1.v

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken upon the line 4 4 of Fig. 1 in the direction indicated.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 1 is used to designate a threaded bar having one end thereof connected in any suitable manner to they presser. foot 2 of the fruit press or other similar device, not shown.

A sleeve 3 is mounted upon the bar 1 in engagement with the threads thereof, said sleeve' being provided with a shoulder 4 formed at one end and threads 6 formed at the opposite end thereof. An annular flange 7 is formed upon the sleeve 3 `substantially midway between the ends thereof, said flange having a plurality of annularly arranged apertures 8 formed adjacent the outer edge thereof. i

The sleeve 3 is rotatably mounted in connection with a mounting member 9 adapted to be secured in any suitable manner upon a cross member 11 lor other suitable support, vthe shouldered end 4 of the sleeve beingreceived within a recess 12 formed in the upper surface of the member 9. A split ring 13 is arranged to engage the shoulder 4 and thereby retain the sleeve 3 in connection with the mounting member, said ring being held by a groove 14 formed adjacent the outer edge of the recess 12.

A pair of bell cranks 16 provided with bearing portions 17 are mounted upon the sleeve 3 for pivotal movement thereon. The cranks 16 are arranged with adjacent ends slidably and pivotally connected to acommon actuating Vlever 18 mounted upon a pivot pin 19 supported by a bracket 21 carried by the mounting member 9. The opposite ends of the bell cranks 16 extend in substantially diametrically opposite directions from the axis of the sleeve 3 and are provided with pawl receiving portions 22 arranged to slidably engage and support pawl 23 inserted in openings 24 extending tnrougn said portions 22.

The pawls 23 are formed from strips of bar metal with the ends out at an angle to the sides of the pawls to form points 26 adapted t0 drop into the apertures 8 which are arranged to register with the openings 24 and are of a size such that the adjacent inclined end of a pawl will rest upon the end of an aperture 8 when the pointv 26 of said pawl enters theaperture, as bestvshown in Fig. 3 ofthe drawings. Y

The ends Vof the cranks 16 connected to the actuating lever 18 are slidably Land pivotally movable upon pins 27 positioned upon opposite sides `of the pivot pin 19 upon which l'said lever moves whereby a pivotal moveing portions 17 to bring the pavvl receiving portions 22 into close proximity with the flange Tand the portions 22 are made of a substantial height to afford strength and rigidity to the device. The bell cranks are held in assembled relation upon the sleeve 3)v by means of a collar 28 threaded onto the threads 6 and engaging an internal shoulder 29 formed upon the adjacent bearing portion 17.

Our invention is particularly intended for use in connection with fruit presses and other similar devices wherein a pressure foot is moved to exert pressure against fruit or other material within ,a suitable con tainer. In this connection the mounting member 9 is secured upon a cross member mounted across the top of the container. The pressure foot is now moved toexert pressure upon the substance within the container by rotating the flanged sleeve -3 to advance the threaded rod 1 and thereby force vthe foot 2 againstthe substance to be pressed, the sleeve 3 being held against longitudinal movement by the mounting member 9.

The sleeve 3 is rotated by means of the actuating lever 18, said' lever bei-ng oscillated about its pivot mounting 19 to impart a corresponding oscillating movement of the bell cranks 16 about their mountings upon the sleeve 3. The bell cranks are moved simultaneously in opposite directions because of their connection to the lever 18 upon oppoosite sides of the pivot point thereof and the pawls 23 are arranged in such a 1nanner that the apertures 8 of the iiange will be engaged and moved by the pawls only when the cranks 16 are moved in one direction'and the flange released when'the cranks are moved in the opposite direction. Thus when the actuating lever 18 is moved in one direction, the .pawl carried by one of the' cranks 16 will operatively engage an aperture 8 and impart a rotative movement to the flange 7 and sleeve 3 las the crank is moved about its mounting upon the sleeve. At the same time, the other crank will move in the opposite direction and the flange 7 permitted to move under the other pavvl 28, said pawl being lifted out of engagement with any aperture 8 moving thereunder by virtue-of the inclined end of the pawl which normally rests upon the edge of an aperture 8 when in operative position.

VThe apertures 8 are so positioned that when the end of the stroke in one direction is approached. the opposite pavvl above referred to will drop into and engage an adjacent aperture8 so that when the movement is reversed and the 4lever 18 and cranks 16 moved in Vthe opposite `direction the .pawl will move the flange and .sleeve y3 in the same direction as before,A the first pawl being now lifted and the flange permitted to move thereunder until the end of the rei turn stroke is reached at which time an other aperture is engaged and the motion of the sleeve thus maintained in the same direction during successive movements of the lever 18.

From the above explanation it will be seen that a substantially continuous rotation of the sleeve 3 may be maintained and the threaded bar 1 thus advanced continuously and substantially uniformly increase of pressure obtained upon the substance being pressed.

When it is desired to reverse the movement and relieve the pressure or return the bar 1 and foot 2 to a steering position, the pawls 23 are simply lifted from the receiving portions 22 and inverted either about a longitudinal or transverse axis so that the inclination of the ends of the pawls will be in a direction oppositeto that formerly occupied. The pawls will now operatively engage the flange apertures 8 when moved in the opposite direction and the sleeve 3 will thus be rotated in the reverse direction to move the bar 1 back to starting position.

The above described ratchet mechanism is particularly adapted for use in the man ner described because of the ease and continuity of action which may be obtained and also because of the very high pressure which may be obtained without excessive effort upon the part of the` operator. This is due to the fact that very great leverage may be applied upon the lever which in turn is increased both through the cranks 16 and the threaded connection between the sleeve l and bar 1. The range of movement of the lever 3 may be adapted to suit the conven- -ience of any particular operator as a lonOer or shorter movement of the actuating lever only reduces the effective throw of the cranks 16 without preventing the normal operation as above described. Thus the lever 16 may be moved through substantially 180O if the operator so desires7 but, if more convenient7 a shorter throw of say 90 may be used without altering the effectiveness or continuity of action or reducing the 'effed tive leverage obtained for exerting` pressure.

AThe several elements of the device as above described may be manufactured with only a nominal amount of machining and are readily assembled at a relatively low cost. At the same time, the parts are so constructed and arranged that very great strength may be obtained and extremely rugged and durable structure results.

Having thus describedr our invention what We .claim as new and desire Ato secure by Letters Patent is,

l. A ratchet mechanism for presses and the like comprising a threaded bar; a Vsleeve .mounted upon the bar .and engaging the threads thereof, said sleeve being provided CTL with an annular flange; an actuating lever pivotallyjmounted adjacent the-lange;ja

pairV of actuatingmembers pivotally mountedupon one end of the sleeve' and slidably and, pivotally.v connectedto the actuating lever upon oppositesides of thefpivotppoint thereof whereby the arms maybe moved simultaneously in .opposite directions; and pawls mounted upon the arms to engage and alternately move the flange and sleeve inthe ,same direction when the actuating lever is moved in oppositedirection whereby the threaded bar may be moved relatively to the sleeve.

2. A ratchet mechanism for presses and the like comprising a threaded bar; a sleeve mounted upon the bar and engaging the threads thereof, said 'sleeve being p-rovided with an annular flange; an actuating lever pivotally mounted adjacent the flange; a pair of oppositely disposed bell `cranks pivotally mounted upon one end of the j sleeve vand slidably and pivotally connected to the actuating lever upon opposite sides of the pivot point thereof whereby the cranks may. be moved simultaneously in opposite directions; and pawls mounted upon the op-positely disposed end of the bell cranks to engage the flange aty lsubstantially diametrically opposite points and adapted to alternately move the flange and sleeve in the same direction when the actuatinglever is moved in opposite directions wherebythe threaded bar may be moved relatively to the sleeve. l Y j 3. A ratchet mechanismfor presses and the like comprising a threaded bar; a sleeve mounted upon the bar and engaging Vthe threads thereof, said sleeve being provided with anv annular flange having `a plurality of annularly arranged apertures formed therein; an actuating lever pivotally mounted adjacentthe flange; a pair of oppositely disposed bell cranks pivotally mounted upon one end of the sleeve and slidably and pivotally connected to the actuating lever upon the opposite sides of the pivot point thereof whereby the vcranks may be moved simultaneously in opposite directions; and pawls slidably mounted upon theoppositely disposed ends ofthe bell cranks and provided with pointedends adapted to enter the apertures of the'flange and impart movement to the flange when, moved in one direction and to be moved out of one aperture and into engagement with another aperture when the crank is moved in the opposite direction, said pawls being adapted to alternately move the flange and sleeve in the same direction whereby the threaded bar may be moved relatively to the sleeve and being invertible to cause the flange to be rotated in either direction as desired.

4. A ratchet mechanism for presses and the like comprising a threaded bar; a sleeve mounted upon the barand engaging the Vthreads thereof, said sleeve being provided with an annular langejpositioned substantially midway between the ends of the sleeve and having a plurality of apertures arranged in an annular row adjacent the edge of the flange; a mounting element rotatably engaging one end of the sleeve; a pair lof oppositely disposed bell cranks lmounted upon the opposite end of the sleeve; an actuating lever mounted adjacent the ange; means for 4connecting the adjacent ends of the bell cranks to the actuating lever upon opposite sides of the pivot point thereof whereby the cranks may be moved simultaneously inopposite directicns; and pawls mounted upon the oppositely disposed ends of the bell cranks to alternately engage the apertures in the flange and move said flange and. the sleeve in Vone direction when the actuating member is moved pivotally in either direction. j

5. A ratchet mechanism for presses and the like comprising a threaded bar; a sleeve mounted upon the bar and engaging the threads thereof, said sleeve being provided with an annular flange positionedsubstantially midway between theends of the sleeve and vhaving a plurality of apertures arranged in an annular row adjacent the edge of theV flange; a mountingelement rotatably engaging one end of the sleeve; a pair of oppositely disposed bell" cranks mounted upon the opposite end ofthe sleeve; an actuating lever mounted adjacent the flange; means for connecting the adjacent endsy of the bell cranksto theactuating levervup'on opposite sides of the pivot point thereof whereby the cranks may bey moved simul` taneously in' opposite directions; and pawls mounted upon theoppositely disposed ends of the bell cranks to4 alternately engage the apertures in the flange, and move said flange and the sleeve in one direction when rthe actuating member is moved pivotally in either direction;l and means for normally retaining the sleeve in connection with the mounting element.

6. A ratchet mechanism for presses and the like comprising a threaded bar; a sleeve mounted uponthe bar and engaging the threads thereof, said sleeve being provided with an annular flange positioned substantially midway between the ends of the sleeve and having a plurality of apertures arranged in an annular row adjacent the edge of the flange; a mounting element rotatably engaging one end of the sleeve; a pair of oppositely disposed bell cranks mounted upon the opposite end of the sleeve; an actuating lever mounted adjacent the flange; means for connecting the adjacent ends of the bell cranks to the actuating lever upon opposite sides of the pivot point thereof whereby the cranks may be moved simultaneously .in opposite directions; and 'pawls mounted upon the oppositely disposed ends of -the bell cranks to alternately engagetlre apertures in the flange 'and move said flange and the sleeve in one direction when the actuating member' is moved pivotally in either direction; and lmeans for normally retaining the sleeve in connection with the mounting element; and means for retaining the bell cranks in normal operative position upon the sleeve. Y

7 A ratchet mechanism for presses and the like comprisi-ng a threaded bar; a sleeve mounted upon the bar and engaging the threads thereof, 'said sleeve having a shoulder formed `upon one end 'and threads formed upon the other end thereof and provided with an annular flange between said ends; a mounting element rotatably engaging the shouldered end of the sleeve; a split ring mounted in connection with the mounting element and engaging the shoulder upon the sleeve to normally retain the sleeve in connection with said mounting element; a pair of oppositely disposed bell cranks mounted upon 'the opposite end of the sleeve; an actuating lever mounted adjacent the flange; means for connecting the adjacent ends of the bell cranks to the actuating lever upon opposite sides of the pivot point thereof whereby the cranks may be moved simultaneously in opposite directions; and pawls mounted upon the oppositely disposed ends of the bell cranks engage and alternately move the flange in the same direction when the actuating lever is pivotally moved in opposite directions.

8. A ratchet mechanism for presses and the like comprising a thr-eaded bar; a sleeve mounted upon the bar and engaging the threads thereof, said sleeve having a shoulder formed upon one end and threads formed upon the other end thereof and provided with an annular flange between said ends; a mounting element rotatably engaging the shouldered end of the sleeve; a split ring mounted in connection with the mounting element and engaging the shoulder upon the sleeve to normally retain the sleeve in 'cons nection with the mounting element; a pair of oppositely disposed bell cranks provided with bearing portions mounted upon the opposite end lof the slee-ve; a collar threaded onto the end of said 'sleeve to retain the bell cranks in operative position thereon; an actuating lever pivotally mounted adjacent the flange; means connecting the adjacent ends of the bell cranks to the actuating lever upon opposite sides of the pivot point thereof whereby the cranks may be moved simultaneously in opposite directions; and pawls mounted upon the oppositely disposed ends of the bell cranks to lengage and alternately move the flange and sleeve in lone direction when the actuating member is pivotally moved in opposite directions.

9. A ratchet mechanism for presses and the like comprising a threaded bar; a sleeve mounted upon the bar and engaging the threads thereof; said sleeve having a shoulder formed upon one end thereof and threads formed upon the other end thereof and provided with an annular flange between said ends; a mounting element rotatably engaging the shouldered end of the sleeve; a split ring mounted in connection with the mountinr' element and vengaging the shoulder upon the sleeve to normally retain the sleeve in connection with the mounting element; a pair of oppositely disposed bell cranks pro vided with bearing portions mounted upon the opposite end of the sleeve; a collar threaded .onto the end of said sleeve to normal'ly retain the bell cranks in operative position thereon; an actuating lever pivotally mounted adj acent the flange; means connecting the adjacent ends of the cranks to the actuating lever upon opposite sides of the pivot point thereof whereby the cranks maybe moved simultaneously in opposite directions; pawl receiving portions formed upon the oppositely disposed ends of the bell cranks; and pawls slidably mounted within said portions and provided with pointed ends adapted to enter apertures formed adjacent the edge of the flange, said pawls being adapted to alternately move the flange and sleeve in one direction when the cranks are moved alternately in opposite directions by the actuating lever.

In witness whereof we hereunto set our signatures.

WILLIAM EBERHARDT. CHARLES EBERHARDT. 

